BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a parallel link robot, a hand for parallel
link robot, and a parallel link robot system.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Conventionally, there is known a container-aligning apparatus that changes a posture
of a workpiece (for example, see Japanese Patent No.
2970732). The container-aligning apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No.
2970732 includes a robot. The robot changes the posture of the workpiece. This robot holds
the workpiece at a holding position. The robot also releases and drops the workpiece
at a releasing position such that one end of the workpiece engages engaging members.
[0003] However, the container-aligning apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No.
2970732 changes the posture of the workpiece by dropping the workpiece such that the one
end the workpiece engages the engaging member. In view of this, if the one end of
the workpiece collides with (engages) the engaging member, this possibly causes a
problem of damage to the workpiece.
[0004] One aspect of an embodiment has been made to solve the above-described problem. One
object of the one aspect of the embodiment is to provide a parallel link robot, a
hand for parallel link robot, and a parallel link robot system that can change the
posture of the workpiece while suppressing damage to the workpiece.
SUMMARY
[0005] A hand for parallel link robot according to a first aspect includes a holder and
a swing-up mechanism portion. The holder extracts a workpiece from an extraction portion
and holds the workpiece. The swing-up mechanism portion swings the workpiece held
by the holder up centering around a turning axis to change a posture of the workpiece.
[0006] The hand for parallel link robot according to the first aspect includes the swing-up
mechanism portion. The swing-up mechanism portion swings the workpiece held by the
holder up centering around the turning axis to change the posture of the workpiece.
This allows changing the posture of the workpiece held by the holder by the swing-up
mechanism portion. Accordingly, the posture of the workpiece can be changed without
the workpiece colliding with an engaging member or a similar member. This allows providing
the hand for parallel link robot that can change the posture of the workpiece while
suppressing the damage of the workpiece.
[0007] The parallel link robot according to a second aspect includes a link mechanism portion
and the hand according to the first aspect. The hand is mounted to a tip portion of
the link mechanism portion.
[0008] The parallel link robot according to the second aspect includes the hand according
to the first aspect as describe above. This hand includes the holder and the swing-up
mechanism portion. The holder extracts the workpiece from an extraction portion and
holds the workpiece. The swing-up mechanism portion swings the workpiece held by the
holder up centering around the turning axis to change the posture of the workpiece.
This allows changing the posture of the workpiece held by the holder by the swing-up
mechanism portion. Accordingly, the posture of the workpiece can be changed without
the workpiece colliding with the engaging member or a similar member. This allows
changing the posture of the workpiece while suppressing the damage of the workpiece.
[0009] The parallel link robot system according to a third aspect includes the parallel
link robot according to the second aspect, an extraction portion, and a placement
portion. The workpiece is extracted from extraction portion. The workpiece is placed
on the placement portion.
[0010] The parallel link robot system according to the third aspect includes the parallel
link robot according to the second aspect. The parallel link robot according to the
second aspect includes the hand according to the first aspect. This hand includes
the holder and the swing-up mechanism portion. The holder extracts the workpiece from
the extraction portion and holds the workpiece. The swing-up mechanism portion swings
the workpiece held by the holder up centering around the turning axis to change the
posture of the workpiece. This allows changing the posture of the workpiece held by
the holder by the swing-up mechanism portion. Accordingly, the posture of the workpiece
can be changed without the workpiece colliding with the engaging member or a similar
member. This allows providing the parallel link robot system that can change the posture
of the workpiece while suppressing damage to the workpiece.
[0011] According to the first to third aspects, the posture of the workpiece can be changed
while suppressing the damage of the workpiece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
Fig. 1 is a plane view illustrating a schematic overall configuration of a parallel
link robot system according to one embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the parallel link robot
system according to the one embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a front view for describing an extraction operation of the workpiece by
the parallel link robot according to the one embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a side view for describing the extraction operation of the workpiece by
the parallel link robot according to the one embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a front view in the case where a hand portion of the parallel link robot
according to the one embodiment is swung up forward;
Fig. 6 is a front view in the case where the hand portion of the parallel link robot
according to the one embodiment is swung up rearward;
Fig. 7 is a front view for describing a placing operation of the workpiece by the
parallel link robot according to the one embodiment; and
Fig. 8 is a side view for describing the placing operation of the workpiece by the
parallel link robot according to the one embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0013] In the following detailed description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed
embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices
are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.
[0014] The following describes embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0015] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the following describes a configuration of a
parallel link robot system 100 according to this embodiment.
[0016] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the parallel link robot system 100 includes parallel link
robots 10 (10a, 10b, and 10c), robot controllers 20 (20a, 20b, and 20c), imaging units
30 (30a, 30b, and 30c), sensors 40 (40a, 40b, and 40c), two conveyors (first conveyor
50 and second conveyor 60), and a distribution apparatus 70. The parallel link robot
system 100 is configured to extract a workpiece 1 from the first conveyor 50, and
insert the workpiece 1 into a box portion 2 on the second conveyor 60 to place the
workpiece 1. The first conveyor 50 and the second conveyor 60 are one example of respective
"extraction portion" and "placement portion."
[0017] The parallel link robots 10 are securely installed at a bottom surface of a ceiling
upward of the first conveyor 50 and the second conveyor 60. The three parallel link
robots 10 (10a, 10b, and 10c) are arranged in a conveying direction (X direction)
of the conveyors (first conveyor 50 and the second conveyor 60). The parallel link
robots 10a, 10b, and 10c are configured to extract the workpiece 1 that is fallen
sideways (does not stand) conveyed by the first conveyor 50, change the posture of
the workpiece 1 so as to be stood, and insert and place the workpieces 1 into the
box portions 2 conveyed by the second conveyor 60. The parallel link robots 10 are
arranged in the order from the parallel link robots 10a, 10b, and 10c from the upstream
(X2 direction side) of the first conveyor 50 and the second conveyor 60 along the
downstream (X1 direction side). In the parallel link robot system 100, the three parallel
link robots 10a, 10b, and 10c is configured to insert the workpieces 1 into the all
box portions 2 conveyed by the second conveyor 60.
[0018] The three parallel link robots 10 (10a, 10b, and 10c) each include the robot controllers
20 (20a, 20b, and 20c), the imaging units 30 (30a, 30b, and 30c), and the sensors
40 (40a, 40b, and 40c). The robot controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c each control the parallel
link robots 10a, 10b, and 10c. The robot controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c are coupled
to one another via the distribution apparatus 70. To the robot controllers 20a, 20b,
and 20c, an encoder 51 of the first conveyor 50 and an encoder 61 of the second conveyor
60 are coupled via the distribution apparatus 70.
[0019] The robot controllers 20 (20a, 20b, and 20c) is each configured to control operations
of the parallel link robots 10 (10a, 10b, and 10c). Specifically, the robot controllers
20 (20a, 20b, and 20c) are coupled to the parallel link robots 10 (10a, 10b, and 10c).
The robot controller 20a (20b and 20c) is configured to control the parallel link
robots 10 (10a, 10b, and 10c) based on the position and the posture of the workpiece
1 on the first conveyor 50 whose images have been captured by the imaging unit 30a
(30b and 30c), a sensing result whether the workpieces 1 are placed at the respective
box portions 2 or not by the sensor 40a (40b and 40c), a detection result of the encoder
51 of the first conveyor 50, and a detection result of the encoder 61 of the second
conveyor 60, so as to extract the workpiece 1 from the first conveyor 50 to insert
the workpieces 1 into the vacant box portions 2 on the second conveyor 60 and place
the workpieces 1.
[0020] That is, the robot controller 20a (20b and 20c) is configured to control the parallel
link robot 10a (10b and 10c) so as to suck a predetermined position of the workpiece
1, based on the position and the posture of the workpiece 1 on the first conveyor
50 which are captured by the imaging unit 30a (30b and 30c). The robot controller
20a (20b and 20c) calculates the position and the speed of the workpiece 1 conveyed
by the first conveyor 50, in the conveying direction (X direction), based on the detection
result of the encoder 51 of the first conveyor 50. Furthermore, the robot controller
20a (20b and 20c) is configured to control the parallel link robot 10a (10b and 10c)
so as to extract the workpiece 1 from the first conveyor 50.
[0021] The robot controller 20a (20b and 20c) is configured to obtain information on the
vacant (the workpiece 1 is not placed) box portion 2, based on the detection result
whether the workpieces 1 are placed on the respective box portions 2 or not by the
sensor 40a (40b and 40c). The robot controller 20a (20b and 20c) is configured to
calculate the position and the speed of the box portions 2 conveyed by the second
conveyor 60, based on the detection result by the encoder 61 of the second conveyor
60. Furthermore, the robot controller 20a (20b and 20c) is configured to control the
parallel link robot 10a (10b and 10c) so as to insert the workpieces 1 into the box
portions 2 on the second conveyor 60.
[0022] The imaging units 30 (30a, 30b, and 30c) is configured to capture an image of the
workpiece 1 on the first conveyor 50. The imaging units 30 (30a, 30b, and 30c) are
coupled to the robot controllers 20 (20a, 20b, and 20c). The imaging units 30 (30a,
30b, and 30c) capture the image whenever the parallel link robots 10 (10a, 10b, and
10c) extract the workpiece 1. Accordingly, even if another workpiece 1 on the first
conveyor 50 is displaced when the parallel link robot 10 at the upstream extracts
the workpiece 1, the imaging unit 30 at the downstream captures the image afterward.
In view of this, the parallel link robot 10 at the downstream can also accurately
extract the workpiece 1.
[0023] The sensors 40 (40a, 40b, and 40c) is configured to detect whether the workpieces
1 are inserted into (placed at) the respective box portions 2 on the second conveyor
60 or not. The sensors 40 (40a, 40b, and 40c) are coupled to the robot controllers
20 (20a, 20b, and 20c).
[0024] The first conveyor 50, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, is configured to convey
the workpieces 1 in the X direction. Specifically, the first conveyor 50 is configured
to convey the workpieces 1 from the X2 direction to the X1 direction. The first conveyor
50 is configured to convey the workpieces 1 that are fallen sideways (do not stand).
The encoder 51 of the first conveyor 50 is configured to detect the conveyance speed
of the first conveyor 50.
[0025] The second conveyor 60, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, is configured to convey
the box portions 2 in the X direction. Specifically, the second conveyor 60 is configured
to convey the box portions 2 from the X2 direction to the X1 direction. The second
conveyor 60 is, as illustrated in Fig. 2, arranged adjacent to the first conveyor
50 on the Y2 direction side. The second conveyor 60 is configured to convey the stood
workpieces 1 inserted into (placed at) the box portions 2. The encoder 61 of the second
conveyor 60 is configured to detect the conveyance speed of the second conveyor 60.
The second conveyor 60 is configured to be driven at a conveyance speed slower than
the first conveyor 50. That is, the conveyance speeds of the first conveyor 50 and
the second conveyor 60 are controlled such that the number of the workpieces 1 conveyed
by the first conveyor 50 becomes approximately the same or larger than the number
of the box portions 2 conveyed by the second conveyor 60.
[0026] The distribution apparatus 70 is configured to distribute signals inputted from the
encoders 51 and 61, and output the signals to the robot controllers 20a, 20b, and
20c.
[0027] The following describes the configuration of the parallel link robot 10 according
to the embodiment with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 8.
[0028] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the parallel link robot 10 includes a base portion 11,
three servo motors 12, three link mechanism portions 13, a head portion 14, and a
hand portion 15. The servo motors 12 are disposed within the base portion 11. The
link mechanism portions 13 are coupled in parallel. The three servo motors 12 drive
the respective three link mechanism portions 13. The head portion 14 is mounted to
tip portions 13a of the three link mechanism portions 13. The hand portion 15 is mounted
to the head portion 14. The servo motor 12 is one example of a "driving source." The
hand portion 15 is one example of a "hand for parallel link robot." The parallel link
robots 10a, 10b, and 10c mutually have a similar configuration. The following describes
these parallel link robots 10a, 10b, and 10c as the parallel link robot 10.
[0029] The base portion 11 is configured to be installed at the bottom surface of the ceiling
(surface on the Z2 direction side). The three servo motors 12, which are disposed
within the base portion 11, are arranged so as to have approximately equiangular intervals
(120-degree intervals) from one another with respect to the center of the base portion
11 in the plane view (viewed from the Z1 direction side). The three link mechanism
portions 13 also, similar to the three servo motors 12, are arranged so as to have
approximately equiangular intervals (120-degree intervals) from one another with respect
to the center of the base portion 11 in the plane view.
[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the three link mechanism portions 13 are coupled to one
another at the tip portion 13a side. Here, the three link mechanism portions 13 mutually
have a similar configuration. Specifically, the three link mechanism portions 13 each
have a first arm (upper side arm) 131 and a second arm (lower side arm) 132. The first
arm 131 is coupled to the servo motor 12. The second arm 132 is coupled to the first
arm 131.
[0031] The one end of the first arm 131 is mounted to an output shaft of the servo motor
12. This servo motor 12 is configured to turn (swing) the first arm 131 vertically
(Z direction) in a vertical plane (surface along the Z direction). The second arm
132 is mainly constituted of a pair of poles arranged parallel to one another. The
one end of the second arm 132 is coupled to the other end of the first arm 131 (end
opposite side from the servo motor 12). The other end of the second arm 132 (end at
the opposite side from the first arm 131) is coupled to the head portion 14.
[0032] The link mechanism portion 13 is configured to move the head portion 14 and the hand
portion 15 in the Z direction. That is, the link mechanism portion 13 is configured
to adjust the position of the hand portion 15 in the Z direction (vertical direction).
[0033] The head portion 14 includes a servo motor. The head portion 14 is configured to
cause the hand portion 15 to turn centering around the axis in the vertical direction
(Z direction). That is, the head portion 14 is configured to adjust the orientation
of the hand portion 15 in the X-Y surface (horizontal surface).
[0034] Here, in this embodiment, the hand portion 15 is mounted to the tip portions 13a
of the three link mechanism portions 13 via the head portion 14. The hand portion
15 is, as illustrated in Fig. 2, includes a swing-up mechanism portion 15a and a holder
15b. The swing-up mechanism portion 15a is configured to swing the holder 15b holding
the workpiece 1 up, centering around a turning axis 15c (axis along the X-Y plane)
extending in the horizontal direction. The hand portion 15 is configured to extract
the not standing elongated workpiece 1 from the first conveyor 50, and hold the workpiece
1 by the holder 15b. Furthermore, the hand portion 15 is configured to swing the held
workpiece 1 up centering around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal direction by
the swing-up mechanism portion 15a, resulting in standing the elongated workpiece
1. Furthermore, the hand portion 15 places the stood workpiece 1 on the second conveyor
60. Specifically, the hand portion 15 is configured to swing the held workpiece 1
up centering around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal direction by the swing-up
mechanism portion 15a to change the posture of the workpiece 1, and then insert the
workpiece 1 into the box portion 2.
[0035] Here, the workpiece 1, as illustrated in Fig. 3, includes a main body portion 1a
and a convex portion 1b. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the workpiece 1 is inserted into
the box portion 2 while the convex portion 1b faces upward (Z1 direction). The box
portion 2 is, as illustrated in Fig. 2, has an opening on its top (Z1 direction).
The plurality of box portions 2 are adjacent to one another in the X direction and
are conveyed by the second conveyor 60. The internal side surfaces of the box portion
2, as illustrated in Fig. 4, has a tapered shape where the opening widens toward the
top.
[0036] The swing-up mechanism portion 15a, as illustrated in Fig. 4, has a servo motor 151
and a reducer 152. The holder 15b has the arm portions 153 and 154 and a suction portion
155. The servo motor 151 is provided with an absolute value encoder (not illustrated).
The absolute value encoder detects a turning position.
[0037] In this embodiment, the servo motor 151 is configured to swing the holder 15b up
via the reducer 152 centering around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal direction.
Specifically, by controlling the robot controller 20, the servo motor 151 is configured
to change the turning direction according to the orientation of the workpiece 1 held
by the holder 15b to set the workpiece 1 at a predetermined posture. The servo motor
151 is configured to swing the workpiece 1 held so as to be at the predetermined posture
up centering around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal direction.
[0038] That is, the hand portion 15 is configured to change a swing-up direction by the
swing-up mechanism portion 15a such that the workpiece 1 is at the predetermined posture
according to the orientation of the workpiece 1 detected by the imaging unit 30, and
configured to swing the workpiece 1 up centering around the turning axis 15c in the
horizontal direction. Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 5, assume the case where
the workpiece 1 is extracted from the first conveyor 50 at the posture of the convex
portion 1b facing the forward side of the conveying direction (X1 direction side).
In this case, the servo motor 151 swings the workpiece 1 (holder 15b) up toward the
forward conveying direction (causes the workpiece 1 to turn in the A1 direction).
As illustrated in Fig. 6, assume the case where the workpiece 1 is extracted from
the first conveyor 50 at the posture of the convex portion 1b facing the backward
side of the conveying direction (X2 direction side). In this case, the servo motor
151 swings the workpiece 1 (holder 15b) up toward the backward conveying direction
(causes the workpiece 1 to turn in the A2 direction). That is, the workpiece 1 is
swung up such that the convex portion 1b faces upward (Z1 direction). Accordingly,
the above-described predetermined posture of the workpiece 1 is the posture of the
workpiece where the convex portion 1b faces upward.
[0039] To form the angle of the holder 15b so as to be an angle where the workpiece 1 is
likely to be sucked, the servo motor 151 is configured to cause the holder 15b to
turn centering around the turning axis 15c according to the shape of the workpiece
1 arranged on the first conveyor 50. Accordingly, even if the sucked surface of the
workpiece 1 is inclined, the angle of the holder 15b can be adjusted to the inclination
of the sucked surface. This allows the holder 15b to reliably suck the workpiece 1.
[0040] The arm portions 153 and 154 of the holder 15b are configured to be turned centering
around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal direction by the swing-up mechanism
portion 15a. Specifically, the arm portion 153 is coupled to the servo motor 151 of
the swing-up mechanism portion 15a via the reducer 152, and is configured to be turned
centering around the turning axis 15c. The arm portion 153 is formed so as to extend
in the direction approximately perpendicular to the turning axis 15c. The arm portion
154 is coupled to the end of the arm portion 153 at the opposite side from the turning
axis 15c. The arm portion 154 is formed so as to extend in the direction approximately
perpendicular to both the turning axis 15c and the arm portion 153. The three suction
portions 155 are mounted to the arm portion 154 in the extending direction of the
arm portion 154.
[0041] The suction portion 155 is configured to suck the workpiece 1 by negative pressure.
The negative pressure is configured to be supplied to the three suction portions 155
independently. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the two suction portions 155 among the three
suction portions 155 are configured to suck the workpiece 1. Specifically, the center
suction portion 155 and the suction portion 155 positioned at the opposite side of
the convex portion 1b of the workpiece 1 are configured to suck the side surface of
the elongated workpiece 1. The two suction portions 155 suck the side surface of the
elongated workpiece 1 closed to the convex portion 1b side.
[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the holder 15b (hand portion 15) is formed to have a shape
to avoid interference with the workpiece 1 placed on the second conveyor 60 when the
holder 15b (hand portion 15) places the held workpiece 1 on the second conveyor 60,
while overlapping the workpiece 1 already placed on the second conveyor 60. That is,
the arm portion 153 of the holder 15b is formed such that a length D1 of the arm portion
153 becomes longer than a width W1 of the workpiece 1. This suppresses the arm portion
154 of the holder 15b to interfere with the already placed workpiece 1.
[0043] The following describes the extraction operation and the placing operation of the
workpiece 1 by the parallel link robot 10 according to the embodiment with reference
to Fig. 2 to Fig. 8.
[0044] First, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the imaging unit 30 captures images of the position
and the posture of the workpiece 1 on the first conveyor 50. The sensor 40 detects
whether the workpiece 1 is placed at (inserted into) the box portion 2 on the second
conveyor 60 or not. Next, as illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, based on the position
and the posture of the workpiece 1 on the first conveyor 50 which have been captured
by the imaging unit 30, the holder 15b of the hand portion 15 sucks and extracts the
workpiece 1. In this respect, the head portion 14 adjusts the orientation of the hand
portion 15 in the X-Y surface such that the orientation of the holder 15b of the hand
portion 15 becomes approximately parallel to the workpiece 1. Furthermore, the link
mechanism portion 13 adjusts the position of the hand portion 15 in the Z direction
such that the holder 15b of the hand portion 15 can suck the workpiece 1.
[0045] As illustrated in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6, the swing-up mechanism portion 15a swings the
workpiece 1 up centering around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal direction such
that the convex portion 1b of the workpiece 1 has the posture of facing upward (Z1
direction). This swing-up direction changes according to the orientation of the workpiece
1 held by the holder 15b. Then, the head portion 14 adjusts the orientation of the
hand portion 15 in the X-Y surface such that the workpiece 1 held by the holder 15b
comes to approximately immediately above the opening of the box portion 2. As illustrated
in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the link mechanism portion 13 moves the hand portion 15 in a
Z2 direction. Afterwards, the holder 15b of the hand portion 15 releases the workpiece
1. Thus, the workpiece 1 whose convex portion 1b has a posture of facing upward is
inserted into and placed at the vacant (the workpiece 1 has not yet been placed) box
portion 2.
[0046] This embodiment can obtain the following effects.
[0047] In this embodiment, as described above, the hand portion 15 is provided with the
holder 15b and the swing-up mechanism portion 15a. The holder 15b extracts the workpiece
1 from the first conveyor 50 and holds the workpiece 1. The swing-up mechanism portion
15a swings the workpiece 1 held by the holder 15b up centering around the turning
axis 15c in the horizontal direction, to change the posture of the workpiece 1. This
allows the hand portion 15 to change the posture of the workpiece 1 by the swing-up
mechanism portion 15a while holding the workpiece 1 by the holder 15b. In view of
this, the hand portion 15 can change the posture of the workpiece 1 without the workpiece
1 colliding with the engaging member or a similar member. This allows the hand portion
15 to change the posture of the workpiece 1 while suppressing the damage to the workpiece
1.
[0048] In this embodiment, as described above, the hand portion 15 is configured to extract
and hold the not standing elongated workpiece 1 from the first conveyor 50 by the
holder 15b. Furthermore, the hand portion 15 is configured to swing the held workpiece
1 up by the swing-up mechanism portion 15a centering around the turning axis 15c in
the horizontal direction, resulting in standing the elongated workpiece 1. Furthermore,
the hand portion 15 is configured to place the stood workpiece 1 on the second conveyor
60. Accordingly, the hand portion 15 can change the posture of the workpiece 1 to
the standing posture and place the workpiece 1 on the second conveyor 60 while suppressing
the damage to the elongated workpiece 1 that is fallen sideways (does not stand).
[0049] In this embodiment, as described above, the hand portion 15 is configured to swing
the held workpiece 1 up centering around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal direction
by the swing-up mechanism portion 15a to change the posture of the workpiece 1, and
then insert the workpiece 1 into the box portion 2. Accordingly, even if the swing-up
mechanism portion 15a sets the workpiece 1 at an unstable posture (the standing posture
of the workpiece in the case where the workpiece is less likely to stand alone), insertion
of the workpiece 1 into the box portion 2 allows maintaining the posture of the workpiece
1.
[0050] In this embodiment, as described above, the servo motor 151 of the swing-up mechanism
portion 15a is configured to change the turning direction according to the orientation
of the workpiece 1 held by the holder 15b to set the workpiece 1 at the predetermined
posture. Furthermore, the servo motor 151 swings the workpiece 1 held so as to be
at the predetermined posture up centering around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal
direction. This allows the posture of the workpiece 1 to be easily aligned at the
predetermined posture and the workpiece 1 to be placed at the box portion 2 on the
second conveyor 60.
[0051] In this embodiment, as described above, the servo motor 151 of the swing-up mechanism
portion 15a is configured to swing the holder 15b up centering around the turning
axis 15c in the horizontal direction via the reducer 152. Accordingly, even if an
output from the servo motor 151 is small, the heavy workpiece 1 can be swung up by
an increase in a torque according to a reduction gear ratio of the reducer 152. If
electric power supplied to the parallel link robot system 100 is stopped due to, for
example, a power failure, the reducer 152 can maintain the swing-up posture of the
holder 15b.
[0052] In this embodiment, as described above, the holder 15b is provided with the arm portions
153 and 154 and the suction portions 155. The swing-up mechanism portion 15a turns
the arm portions 153 and 154 centering around the turning axis 15c in the horizontal
direction. The suction portions 155 are mounted to the arm portion 154 and suck the
workpiece 1. Accordingly, the hand portion 15 can easily move (turn) the suction portions
155 with the workpiece 1 sucked, by the swing-up mechanism portion 15a via the arm
portions 153 and 154.
[0053] In this embodiment, as described above, the hand portion 15 extracts and holds the
workpiece 1, which is conveyed by the first conveyor 50, by the holder 15b. Furthermore,
the hand portion 15 is configured to swing the held workpiece 1 up centering around
the turning axis 15c in the horizontal direction by the swing-up mechanism portion
15a to change the posture of the workpiece 1. Furthermore, the hand portion 15 is
configured to place the workpiece 1 whose posture has been changed on the second conveyor
60. Accordingly, the hand portion 15 can easily move and convey the workpiece 1 conveyed
by the first conveyor 50, on the second conveyor 60 after changing the posture of
the workpiece 1.
[0054] In this embodiment, as described above, the hand portion 15 is formed to have a shape
to avoid interference with the workpiece 1 placed on the second conveyor 60 when the
hand portion 15 places the held workpiece 1 on the second conveyor 60, while overlapping
the workpiece 1 already placed on the second conveyor 60 in the plane view (viewed
from the Z direction). Accordingly, even if the workpiece 1 has already been placed
at the position adjacent to the position where the workpiece 1 is to be placed on
the second conveyor 60, the hand portion 15 does not interfere with the already-placed
workpiece 1 and can easily place the new workpiece 1.
[0055] Therefore, the above-disclosed embodiments are all considered as illustrative and
not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather
than by the foregoing description of the embodiment. All variations falling within
the equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
[0056] For example, the embodiment describes the example of using the parallel link robot
including the three link mechanism portions. Instead of this, the parallel link robot
including the two link mechanism portions may be used. Alternatively, the parallel
link robot including the four or more link mechanism portions may be used.
[0057] The embodiment describes the example of extracting the workpiece arranged on the
first conveyor. Instead of this, the workpiece may be extracted from, for example,
a container such as a box or a tray where the workpiece is arranged.
[0058] The embodiment describes the example where the workpiece extracted from the first
conveyor is inserted into (placed at) the box portion arranged on the second conveyor.
Instead of this, the workpiece extracted from the first conveyor may be directly arranged
on the second conveyor. Alternatively, the extracted workpiece may be placed on the
placement portion other than a conveyor.
[0059] In the embodiment, the hand portion is configured to extract the elongated workpiece
that is fallen sideways, change the posture of the workpiece to the standing posture,
and place the workpiece at the box portion on the conveyor. Instead of this, the hand
portion may extract the stood workpiece, change the posture of the workpiece to the
posture of being fallen sideways, and place the workpiece on a conveyor or at the
box portion on the conveyor. Alternatively, the hand portion may extract the workpiece
at the posture other than the stood state, change the posture of the workpiece to
another posture, and place the workpiece on the conveyor or at the box portion on
the conveyor.
[0060] The above-described embodiment describes the example of extracting the elongated
workpiece. However, the workpiece may not be the elongated shape.
[0061] The above-described embodiment describes the example of the configuration of sucking
the workpiece by the suction portions at the holder. However, the holder may not hold
the workpiece by adsorption. For example, the holder may hold the workpiece by magnetic
force. Alternatively, the holder may hold the workpiece by gripping the workpiece
with, for example, a grip portion.
[0062] The embodiment describes the example of the following configuration. The swing-up
mechanism portion includes the servo motor. The servo motor swings the workpiece up
centering around the turning axis in the horizontal direction. Instead of this, the
swing-up mechanism portion may include a driving mechanism other than the servo motor.
For example, the swing-up mechanism portion may include the driving mechanism such
as an air cylinder or a stepping motor.
[0063] In the embodiment, the swing-up mechanism portion 15a is configured to swing the
holder 15b holding the workpiece 1 up centering around the turning axis 15c (axis
along the X-Y plane) extending in the horizontal direction. However, as long as the
swing-up mechanism portion 15a can set the posture of the workpiece 1 at the predetermined
posture, the extending direction of the turning axis 15c may be displaced from the
horizontal direction.
[0064] The embodiment of this disclosure may also be the following parallel link robot,
the hand for parallel link robot, and the parallel link robot system.
[0065] A first parallel link robot includes a plurality of link mechanism portions and a
hand portion. The plurality of link mechanism portions are coupled in parallel and
are driven by a plurality of respective driving sources. The hand portion is mounted
to a tip portion of the plurality of link mechanism portions. The hand portion includes
a holder and a swing-up mechanism portion. The holder extracts an extraction portion
from the workpiece and holds the workpiece. The swing-up mechanism portions swings
the workpiece held by the holder centering around a turning axis in a horizontal direction
to change the posture of the workpiece.
[0066] A second parallel link robot according to the first parallel link robot is configured
as follows. The hand portion extracts the not standing elongated workpiece from the
extraction portion and holds the elongated workpiece by the holder. Additionally,
the hand portion swings the held workpiece up centering around the turning axis in
the horizontal direction by the swing-up mechanism portion to stand the elongated
workpiece, and places the workpiece on the placement portion.
[0067] A third parallel link robot according to the first or the second parallel link robot
is configured as follows. The hand portion swings the held workpiece centering around
the turning axis in the horizontal direction by the swing-up mechanism portion to
change the posture of the workpiece and inserts the workpiece into the box portion.
[0068] A fourth parallel link robot according to any one of the first to the third parallel
link robots is configured as follows. The swing-up mechanism portion includes a servo
motor. The servo motor changes a turning direction according to an orientation of
the workpiece held by the holder and swings the workpiece held so as to be at a predetermined
posture up centering around the turning axis in the horizontal direction.
[0069] A fifth parallel link robot according to the fourth parallel link robot is configured
as follows. The swing-up mechanism portion further includes a reducer. The servo motor
swings the holder up centering around the turning axis in the horizontal direction
via the reducer.
[0070] A sixth parallel link robot according to any one of the first to the fifth parallel
link robots is configured as follows. The holder includes an arm portion and a suction
portion. The arm portion is turned by the swing-up mechanism portion centering around
the turning axis in the horizontal direction. The suction portion is disposed at the
arm portion and sucks the workpiece.
[0071] A seventh parallel link robot according to any one of the first to the sixth parallel
link robots is configured as follows. The hand portion extracts the workpiece conveyed
by an extraction portion including the first conveyor and holds the workpiece by the
holder. The swing-up mechanism portion swings the held workpiece up centering around
the turning axis in the horizontal direction to change a posture of the workpiece
and places the workpiece on a placement portion including the second conveyor.
[0072] An eighth parallel link robot according to any one of the first to the seventh parallel
link robots is configured as follows. When the hand portion places the held workpiece
on the placement portion, the hand portion is formed to have a shape to avoid interference
with the workpiece placed on the placement portion while overlapping the workpiece
already placed on the placement portion.
[0073] A first hand for parallel link robot includes a holder and a swing-up mechanism portion.
The holder extracts the workpiece from the extraction portion and holds the workpiece.
The swing-up mechanism portion swings the workpiece held by the holder up centering
around the turning axis in the horizontal direction to change the posture of the workpiece.
[0074] A first parallel link robot system includes a plurality of link mechanism portions,
a parallel link robot, an extraction portion, and a placement portion. The plurality
of link mechanism portions are coupled in parallel and are driven by a plurality of
respective driving sources. The parallel link robot includes a hand portion mounted
to a tip portion of the plurality of link mechanism portions. The workpiece is extracted
from extraction portion. The workpiece is placed on the placement portion. The hand
portion includes a holder and a swing-up mechanism portion. The holder extracts the
workpiece from the extraction portion and holds the workpiece. The swing-up mechanism
portion swings the workpiece held by the holder up centering around the turning axis
in the horizontal direction to change the posture of the workpiece.
[0075] A second parallel link robot system according to the first parallel link robot system
further includes an imaging unit configured to detect an orientation of the workpiece
of the extraction portion. The hand portion is configured to change a swing-up direction
by the swing-up mechanism portion such that the workpiece is at a predetermined posture
according to an orientation of the workpiece detected by the imaging unit, and swing
the workpiece up centering around the turning axis in the horizontal direction.
[0076] The foregoing detailed description has been presented for the purposes of illustration
and description. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter described
herein to the precise form disclosed. Although the subject matter has been described
in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be
understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily
limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features
and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims
appended hereto.
1. A hand for parallel link robot (15),
characterized by:
a holder (15b) configured to extract a workpiece (1) from an extraction portion (50)
and hold the workpiece (1); and
a swing-up mechanism portion (15a) configured to swing the workpiece (1) held by the
holder (15b) up centering around a turning axis (15c) to change a posture of the workpiece
(1).
2. The hand (15) according to claim 1, wherein
the turning axis (15c) extends in a horizontal direction.
3. A parallel link robot (10),
characterized by:
a link mechanism portion (13); and
the hand (15) according to claim 1 or 2, the hand (15) being mounted to a tip portion
of the link mechanism portion (13).
4. The parallel link robot (10) according to claim 3, comprising a plurality of the link
mechanism portions (13), wherein
the plurality of link mechanism portions (13) are coupled in parallel to one another,
and driven by a plurality of respective driving sources (12).
5. The parallel link robot (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
the holder (15b) is configured to extract the not standing elongated workpiece (1)
from the extraction portion (50) and hold the elongated workpiece (1), and
the swing-up mechanism portion (15a) is configured to swing the held workpiece (1)
up centering around the turning axis (15c) to stand the elongated workpiece (1), and
place the workpiece (1) on a placement portion (60).
6. The parallel link robot (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein
the swing-up mechanism portion (15a) is configured to swing the held workpiece (1)
up centering around the turning axis (15c) to change a posture of the workpiece (1),
and insert the workpiece (1) into a box portion (2).
7. The parallel link robot (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein
the swing-up mechanism portion (15a) includes a servo motor (151), and
the servo motor (151) is configured to change a turning direction according to an
orientation of the workpiece (1) held by the holder (15b) to set the workpiece (1)
at a predetermined posture, and swing the workpiece (1) held so as to be at the predetermined
posture up centering around the turning axis (15c).
8. The parallel link robot (10) according to claim 7, wherein
the swing-up mechanism portion (15a) further includes a reducer (152), and
the servo motor (151) is configured to swing the holder (15b) up via the reducer (152)
centering around the turning axis (15c).
9. The parallel link robot (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein
the holder (15b) includes:
arm portions (153,154) configured to be turned by the swing-up mechanism portion (15a)
centering around the turning axis (15c); and
a suction portion (155) disposed at the arm portions (153,154) and configured to suck
the workpiece (1).
10. The parallel link robot (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein
the holder (15b) is configured to extract the workpiece (1) conveyed by an extraction
portion including an first conveyor (50), and hold the workpiece (1), and
the swing-up mechanism portion (15a) is configured to swing the held workpiece (1)
up centering around the turning axis (15c) to change a posture of the workpiece (1),
and place the workpiece (1) on a placement portion including a second conveyor (60).
11. The parallel link robot (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein
when the holder (15b) places the held workpiece on the placement portion (60), the
holder (15b) is formed to have a shape to avoid interference with the workpiece (1)
placed on the placement portion (60) while overlapping the workpiece (1) already placed
on the placement portion (60).
12. The parallel link robot (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein
the link mechanism portion (13) is configured to adjust a position of the hand (15)
in a vertical direction.
13. The parallel link robot (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 12, further comprising
a head portion (14) configured to adjust an orientation of the hand (15) in a horizontal
plane.
14. The parallel link robot system (100), comprising:
the parallel link robot (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 13;
an extraction portion (50) from which the workpiece (1) is extracted; and
a placement portion (60) where the workpiece (1) is placed.
15. The parallel link robot system (100) according to claim 14, further comprising
an imaging unit (30) configured to detect an orientation of the workpiece (1) on the
extraction portion (50), wherein
the swing-up mechanism portion (15a) is configured to change a swing-up direction
so as to set the workpiece (1) at a predetermined posture according to an orientation
of the workpiece (1) detected by the imaging unit (30), and swing the workpiece (1)
up centering around the turning axis (15c).